Netball and basketball come together on Sky Sports
Sky Sports is bringing the worlds of netball and basketball together for a weekend of all-star action in an exciting new format live from the O2.
“The popularity of basketball and netball is at an all-time high right now. We want to bring this right to the fore with a massive weekend at The O2. By combining the expertise of Matchroom and Sky Sports with those of England Netball, we know that we are embarking on something special.” – Barry Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sports
In partnership with Matchroom, Sky Sports is bringing two days of British netball and basketball to viewers, with a new format that will have fans of both sports on the edge of their seats. At the O2 on Saturday 23rd of September audiences will be treated to the British Fast5s All-Stars Netball Championship, with the British Basketball All-Stars competition taking place on Sunday.
The netball tournament will be made up of the top eight teams from this season’s Vitality Superleague, competing in a five-a-side (Fast5) style of play. The additions of multiple shot points, rolling substitutions and a double point power play, will add an exciting dimension to the competition. The basketball equivalent will also be made up of eight BBL teams playing in shortened matches in a double elimination format. All the teams on both days will be battling it out to take home £25,000 in prize money.
The addition of these fast paced knock-out tournaments adds to an exciting year of netball on Sky Sports, which already includes unrivalled coverage from the Vitality Netball Superleague, England international test series, ANZ Championship, Quad Series and Fast5 tournaments.
“The creation of the British All-Star competitions provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best of British netball and basketball. Everyone involved will hope the tournaments can inspire a new generation to pick up a ball and encourage more women and men to get back on the court.” – Head of Sky Sports Multisport, Georgina Faulkner
